Articles: Definite & Indefinite There are 3 articles in the English language: a an the They are divided into 2 types: Indefinite Definite a, an the Articles are a type of limiting adjective.

Articles: Definite & Indefinite The points out a SPECIFIC person, place, or thing. The door squeaked. (a specific door known to the writer and reader)

Articles: Definite & Indefinite A and an do not point out a specific person, place or thing. They point out a NON-SPECIFIC member of a group. A door squeaked. (unspecified door, the exact door may be unknown, one of a number of doors in a building.)

Indefinite Articles: When to use A, When to use AN An is used before words beginning with a vowel SOUND. It is an honor to meet you. Brandon became an engineer. A is used before words beginning with a consonant SOUND. I am a student. Ryan drove by a university.

Indefinite Articles: When to use A, When to use AN Note: It is the SOUND that matters, not the spelling. The sound of the word following the article determines which article you use. An hour An honest man A horrible accident A university An ungrateful person

Indefinite Articles Use indefinite articles (a, an): 1.To introduce something you have not mentioned before I saw an elephant this morning. 2. When talking about professions I am an editor at the local newspaper. My husband is an architect.

Indefinite Articles Use indefinite articles (a, an): 3.To refer to something/someone that is non-specific, general, one of many. He caught a fish. She’s is a basketball player. He is studying to become an engineer. She threw a rock at the approaching bear. She will be here in an hour.

Definite Article: When to use THE 1.When referring to a specific item or specific member of a group. Did you lock the car? The apple you ate was mine. The doctor who helped me is kind.

Definite Article: When to use THE 2. When you have already mentioned the thing you are talking about. (Now it’s specific.) I saw an elephant this morning. The elephant had escaped from the zoo and was wandering through the city. She has two children, a boy and a girl. The girl is 8 years old, and the boy is 6. On first reference, use an indefinite article. For subsequent references, you may use the definite article.

Definite Article: When to use THE 3. To talk about geographical points on the globe. (specific, unique) Does Santa live at the North Pole? Is Canada near the equator? 4. To refer to rivers, oceans and seas (specific, unique) The Nile is in Egypt. He lives on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. He has sailed the Mediterranean.

Definite Article: When to use THE 5. Before certain nouns when we know there is only one of a particular thing The earth revolves around the sun. He is my best friend in the world. Have you visited the White House? Archeology is the study of civilizations of the past. Science focuses on improving the future. Live in the present.

Definite Article: When to use THE 6. HOWEVER, if you wish to describe a particular instance of one of these things, use a/an. Where in the world did you get that? (generally) In his paintings, he creates a world that is hauntingly beautiful. (specific type of world) What are your plans for the future? (generally) She has a promising future in music. (specific type of future) Upside-down: Oddly, here indefinite articles are used to describe specific things, and the definite article is used to describe the general item.

When to Use Definite Article 7. To say that a particular person, place or thing is the best or only of its kind. You met the Elvis Presley? Miami Beach is the place to be.

Note The does not mean all! The books are expensive. (Not all books are expensive, just the ones I’m talking about.) Books are expensive. (All books are expensive, so I don’t use an article at all.)

Zero Article It’s important to understand when NOT to use an article. 1. Do NOT use an article when talking about things in general. Inflation is rising. Society is advancing. People smile when they are happy.

Zero Article 4. Do NOT use an article when talking about languages. I speak Japanese. Henry learned Spanish while living in Mexico. 5. Do NOT use an article when using the names of academic subjects. Do you have math or English next? Do you enjoy social studies?

Zero Article 2. Do NOT use an article when talking about sports. My son plays football. I enjoy bowling. Tennis is his favorite sport.

Zero Article 3. Do NOT use an article when talking about countries I saw the queen of England on the news. She’s from Peru. Have you ever been to Russia?

Zero Article Exceptions to this rule: The names represent multiple areas the Netherlands, the Philippines, the Bahamas The name contains the word kingdom, state, republic or union the United Kingdom the United States of America the Republic of Congo the Dominican Republic the Soviet Union Note: The is NOT capitalized here, unless it begins a sentence.